Shows
Movie ClinicMovie Clinic - Session 15: Harry from Plymouth - The Big Lebowski (1998)Harry from Plymouth, reflects upon a stolen summer with his dad and how that created a ‘zen’ like connection to both The Big Lebowski and his beloved father.(Trigger Warning: Contains themes of drugs, alcohol, loss and those of a sexual nature, it also contains language that some may find uncomfortable)If you have been impacted by any of the sessions themes, please find below some information that you may find of help:ADFAM: adfam.org.ukMIND: www.mind.org.ukCRUSE: www.crus...
2025-09-1958 min
U2BDC: Used To Be's Do CountI Used To Be...An AlcoholicU2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 1, Episode 4Paul Whittaker | I Used To Be...an AlcoholicPaul Whittaker’s descent into alcohol dependency was slow, silent, and devastating. What began as a mild habit spiralled into a life-threatening addiction, dragging him through some of his darkest moments. In this brutally honest episode, Paul sits down with Dean James to share his full-circle journey—from the chaos of abuse, addiction, and suicidal thoughts to the clarity of sobriety, healing, and peace. Now living a happy, healthy, and content sober life, Paul’s story is a test...
2024-10-091h 20
Happy Healthy HomoSilent Struggles: How Gay Men Use Self-Numbing to Cope with Emotional PainIn this episode of "Silent Struggles," we explore a difficult but important topic: how some gay men use self-numbing to avoid feeling emotional pain. We'll talk about what self-numbing means, why it happens, and how it affects their lives. By sharing personal stories and expert insights, we aim to shed light on this issue and offer hope and understanding. Whether you're looking to learn more or support a loved one, this episode is here to help. Join us as we break the silence and start a conversation about healing and resilience.Book recommendations:
2024-06-0543 min
Hurt to HealingHEALING 101: Supporting loved ones through addiction with Rebekah Allon-SmithOn today’s HEALING 101 I am joined by Rebekah Allon-Smith from ADFAM - a charity that provides support to loved ones and family members living close to dependent drug and alcohol users. In this episode, Rebekah talks about the common signs of mental strain among partners and family members of individuals struggling with addiction, offering insights into maintaining mental well-being while navigating the complexities of supporting a loved one through recovery.More information on ADFAM: https://adfam.org.uk/Follow Hurt to Healing on Instagram: @hurttohealingpodHurt to Healing Website: hurttohealing.co.u...
2024-05-2336 min
The Alcohol Alert PodcastAlcohol Alert - September 2023In this month's podcast we spoke to economist Nicholas Woolley about a new report by Frontier Economics, which found that 184,000 preventable cancers diagnosed in 2023 will cost the UK economy £78 billion. We also spoke to Robert Stebbings of Adfam, about their new report: State of the Family Support Sector. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com
2023-09-2729 min
Drawn to a Deeper StoryTransmuting Grief - with Antonia RollsAfter experiencing 6 deaths of people close to her, and most recently her son's, Antonia reflects on these key moments in her life. She shares wisdom about the evolution of her experiences of grief and the ways in which she has chosen to transmute it.Follow Antonia:TwitterFacebook WebsiteUK Resources:Samaritans – FREE Help – Tel: 116 123, E: jo@samaritans.orgAdfam – help for families dealing with drug and alcohol addictionAl Anon – Family group support alcohol addiction, drug addiction and addictive behavioursMind – Addi...
2023-06-0239 min
The Universal Dialect Show w/Chris "CyPhEr777" CabreraThe Universal Dialect Show #25 Quest the Unborn Child : Poet, Emcee/Rapper, Artist & Horror FanThe Universal Dialect Show welcomes back, Poet, Emcee/Rapper and prolific Artist, Quest the Unborn Child! In episode #25, Quest and I delve deeper into the Hip-Hop culture and it's present and future. We get into ghetto survival stories for a moment and then segue into Quest and his families many Paranormal experiences. The show ends with Horror Movies and his love for them and a Horror based project he's been working on for years and what might the culmination of his efforts. For more of Quest the Unborn Child, check the links below: Music : https://adfam.bandcamp.com/album/abst...
2023-04-022h 50
The Universal Dialect Show w/Chris "CyPhEr777" CabreraThe Universal Dialect Show #1 : Quest "The Unborn Child" : Emcee (Rapper) & PoetIn this 1st show I'm joined by Quest "The Unborn Child", an artist through and through. Most do not realize that emcees/lyricists are poets and overall are Artists. For some strange reason, that connection is rarely made if ever. He's an Emcee (Rapper), Poet, Graf Artist, a loving Husband and Father. We begin the interview with Quest's upbringing, his travels from the Northeast (New York/New Jersey) to the Southeast (Miami/Orlando). We touch on topics such as the origin of his name, the different Hip-Hop crews he worked with, his relationship with his brother from another Voider-One...
2022-11-242h 41
Public Health Research and MeHow can we promote social and emotional resilience in children and young people affected by parental substance use?**Content/trigger warning: mental health; substance use; domestic violence; abuse**
In this first episode, host and Fuse Public Partner, Victoria Bartle, speaks with Cassey Muir, Fuse and NIHR School for Public Health Research doctoral student, about her research.
Cassey talks with Victoria about children and young people’s mental health and resilience in cases of parental substance use. She shares the impacts this can have on young people, including stigma. Cassey outlines some of the key changes she made to her research after hearing from young people with lived experience. She explores the role that th...
2022-11-1832 min
Happily Ever After with Hannah Harvey13 - Q&A 2 - dirty secrets!On this week's episode, I'm answering some more of your questions, but these ones have a slightly different theme that I like to call 'dirty secrets'. This doesn't mean that we're talking about things that I think we should keep a secret, in fact it's the opposite! It's things that we might feel embarrassed to talk about or ashamed to admit.
Here's the Tina Turner documentary I refer to. Here's Big Little Lies - the book and the tv show.
We cover some pretty tough stuff in this episode so I've put some links for helpfu...
2022-10-1119 min
Know Your Own PsychologyEpisode 3. 'A Session With' Tom Lowndes of Hot Dub Time MachineIn today's episode of the podcast, I talk to Tom Lowndes of Hot Dub Time Machine. Tom is best known as the worlds first time travelling DJ. After his recent gig at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, I reached out and Tom agreed to appear on the Pod. This was a great conversation in which we talk about the use of music to heal, mental health and why having a psychologist is a great way to gain perspective. For anyone looking for support around alcohol or drugs, please check out the following link to Narcotics Anonymous and other organisations at...
2022-09-2038 minKnow Your Own PsychologyEpisode 2. 'A Session With' Danniella WestbrookIn today's episode of the podcast, I talk to Danniella Westbrook. An actress and television presenter, Danniella is best known for playing the role of Sam Mitchell in Eastenders. Following a very public battle with addiction, she now spends her time speaking out about substance misuse, helping others struggling with addiction and working on her recovery daily. In today's 'A Session With', Danniella and I talk about her views on media scrutiny (it's not what you might expect), the impact of addiction on her relationships and how she manages to stay grounded in her life now. The book I menti...
2022-09-1530 min
The Alcohol 'Problem' PodcastIn conversation with Jon Ashworth MP In this episode we speak to Jon Ashworth MP about his experience and views of parental alcohol problems and affected others, as well as parliamentary drinking culture, alcohol policy and related issues. Jon has spoken openly about his father's alcohol problems which lead to his death in 2010. He has campaigned and supported a range of action to help people affected by parental drinking, including having run multiple marathons in support of NACOA. Jon is currently Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, having previously been Labour’s longest running Shadow Secretary of State for Health and...
2022-09-0732 min
The Wellbeing Lab with Will YoungYoga TherapyI'm trying out yoga therapy this week with the wonderful Colleen Lally. I went along to a session with Colleen to find out how yoga therapy differs from the yoga I'm used to and to discover who it helps. I describe the session later in the episode, but first you'll hear my chat with Colleen which we recorded a few days after our first meeting.You can find out all about the Recovery Wellness Collective on their website.Colleen recommends these resources if you're looking for support around the issue of substance use...
2022-07-1922 min
Drawn to a Deeper StoryThe Art of Loving an Addict - a vox popLoving an addict is one of the hardest things someone can do. This week we hear people's reactions to Antonia's Rolls' exhibition, 'Addicts and Those Who Love Them'.In episode 1 of Drawn to a Deeper Story, Antonia spoke about being the parent of an addict. She invited me to her exhibition in Brighton and I went along to to talk to people as they came out. This type of exhibition creates a visceral space and being part of people's processing experiences felt like an important conversation to have. See photos of the exhibition.
2022-07-1736 min
Drawn to a Deeper StoryLife with Addictions - with Robyn Flemming"You never drank THAT much."How often have you heard this yourself or said the same to a friend or family member? Many people consider their level of drinking as 'normal', when in reality it's masking a distressed emotional state. We all develop coping mechanisms to deal with stress and people drink alcohol for a variety of reasons. So when does a self medicating vice become an addiction? As Robyn Flemming shares this week, it's not so much the amount, but the affect it has and what you're seeking through it. It's also...
2022-06-0551 min
Changing Lives: Recovery TalksS3 Episode 1: The Impact of Addiction on FamiliesWelcome to Season Three! On today's episode, Andy speaks to his colleague Dolly from Changing Lives, as well as Viv and Kirstie from the organisation Adfam. They talk about their experiences of supporting families and how dependency impacts everyone around the person. In this discussion we not only recognise the wider and more holistic impact of substance abuse, but challenge ourselves to discuss what needs to change moving forward so that families can be better cared for.
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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, m...
2022-04-0447 min
Conversations with Annalisa BarbieriHow to Identify Addiction and Get Help if You Need with psychotherapist Rebecca HarrisAddiction is a word that’s overused and often misunderstood. In this episode I talk to systemic psychotherapist Rebecca Harris, who is also manager at the National Problem Gambling Clinic, Club Drug Clinic and the National Centre for Gaming Disorders. She works at the Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust in London. We look at what addiction is, what it isn’t, and how to get help if you think you or someone you love has an addiction to drugs, gaming, gambling or alcohol. Some useful links/further reading to look at after you’ve listene...
2022-03-1547 min
FEAR The PodcastSeason 2 Episode 2: Thomas BrookesOn this weeks episode, I invited one of my training partners onto my sofa to have a chat about the battles he was having. I don't know Tom on a personal level so I really didn't know what to expect from our conversation. I knew Tom had a lot going on but I had no idea what was causing his pain.
Among other things, Tom found alcohol as a coping mechanism and his partner recently raised concerns for his health with the amount of alcohol he was consuming. Tom has taken the concerns onboard and is making a very real eff...
2022-02-281h 04
Drawn to a Deeper StoryThe Day I Was Charged With Murder with SueTwenty five years ago Sue's life changed forever. Unexpectedly and suddenly, she found herself on a murder charge. How does a person cope with this kind of 'life shock'? The unexpected collision point which takes over your life and leaves its mark indefinitely?In this episode, Sue talks about the traumatising events that led to her arrest, how it completely blindsided her, and the ways in which she managed to begin healing and find her way back to herself.In this EpisodeThe under recognised stresses of living with another's addictionNavigating a...
2021-11-0747 min
Drawn to a Deeper StoryBeing the Parent of an Addict with Antonia Rolls"Behind every addict is someone traumatized by loving them". If you've never experienced addiction, these words tend to hang in the air. Poised. Heavy. Looking for somewhere to land. They took my breath away. Such is the power of talking with this week's guest, Antonia Rolls. Antonia Rolls is an artist and uses painting and words to explore difficult subjects such as end of life, and addictions.There is addiction in her family and over the last ten years she has seen how destructive, chaotic and hopeless life with and around addiction can be. She's...
2021-10-0854 min
Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan ChatterjeeHow Admitting Powerlessness Can Change Your Life with Benjamin Francis Leftwich #193CAUTION: Contains themes of an adult nature.I believe that we can all learn something about ourselves from every single person we interact with and that it is through hearing other people’s stories that we can learn the most. Today’s guest has a really powerful story to share – he is the singer-songwriter, Benjamin Francis Leftwich. I’ve been a huge fan of his work since his 2011 debut album and I think his music connects with people in an incredible way. Ben’s fourth studio album, To Carry a Whale, has just been released –...
2021-06-231h 56
HypnoGeeks PodcastThe Wednesday Wellbeing show 2nd of June 2021 with Cici ReaganThis week on the #wednesdaywellbeing show Im talking transformation and healing from addiction. The Action on Addiction charity says it saw an 86% rise in the number of people seeking help this January compared with last year. The families of those with substance abuse issues have spoken of the immense pressure and danger this lockdown has put on their lives. With support groups limited to 15 people, many charities are unable to hold sessions safely in person. Some supportive groups, are still operating for people with substance use disorders. Many have transitioned to online like The...
2021-06-0353 min
Your Real Money Stories"My drug addiction cost me 1000s, but now I own a home”This week’s anonymous interviewee shares how she went from spending £1,000s to fund her drug addiction, to owning her own home. She tells the Money Medics how her addiction started, what it really cost and the process she went through to recover and get on top of her finances.
If you’re affected by the issues covered in this episode, there are lots of places to seek support online. Here are the ones the Money Medics mention at the end of the podcast:
Adfam: a national charity tackling the effects of alcohol, drug use or gambl...
2021-05-1141 min
Human Magic with Jak HutchcraftAddiction and EmpowermentMilly C is a journalist, DJ and a recovering drug addict.
In this episode we talked about her journey, mental health, growth, addiction, rehab, The 12 Step Program and empowerment.
If you're in the UK and feel you might be going through issues relating to addiction, or know somebody that is, these websites are helpful:
https://www.drugaddictsanonymous.org.uk/daa-meetings
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
https://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk/
https://adfam.org.uk/
You can see more of my work and tip me...
2020-12-091h 08
TALKHUBMaddie Kitchen- Sobriety filmsMaddie Kitchen is the founder of Sobriety films CIC which makes documentaries, films and workshops to raise awareness for recovery from addictions and mental ill health. Maddie become alcohol dependent when she was 19 and battled with this for most of her 20's. She talks about how she used the 12 steps to recovery to help her overcome her addiction with alcohol. Maddie's childhood contributed to her problems she encountered in later life and talks openly about her experiences. 14 years Maddie has now been sober apart from a couple of relapses which are just part of the journey.
The work sh...
2020-08-0939 min
Teenage Kicks PodcastDanielle on Being a Young Carer for her Alcoholic MumDanielle Jones is a freelance journalist and editor from Hampshire with bylines for Time Out, Metro and VisitEngland. A mum to two girls, she specialises in travel, culture and lifestyle writing.
Danielle had a happy family life until her mum's relationship with alcohol started to affect her family. What started as a normal - if more colourful than some - upbringing, became a problem with alcohol, and by her mid-teens Danielle found herself looking after her mum as well as herself.
Danielle tells me about her mum's frustration with motherhood, and how she struggled with...
2020-03-1652 min
Say Why To DrugsDrug Education - with The DSM FoundationIn this episode Dr Suzi Gage is joined by Fiona Spargo-Mabbs and Sarah Birkett from the DSM Foundation. Fiona and her husband set up the foundation after their son Dan died after taking MDMA. Fiona talks a bit about this, but you can read more on the DSM Foundation's website here http://dsmfoundation.org.uk/dans-story/.Within this episode, Suzi chats with Fiona and Sarah about the foundation and the work that it does, as well as the evidence around what works, and what doesn't, in terms of drug education. The foundation's work includes providing material...
2020-02-2046 min
Sound Affects Podcast: Music & Mental Health, with Katy GeorgiouEpisode 6: Managing rockstars, with Alan McGeeMusic industry exec Alan McGee has witnessed the moving tide of the music industry over the last 30 years. Given that he's worked with some of the most notorious rock stars in history – including Bobby Gillespie, Liam Gallagher, Pete Doherty and Shaun Ryder – I was curious to know what cumulative mental health impact this has all had on him over time. His stories of drugs and excess are often passed with humour and anecdotal charm, but dig deeper, and I'm in touch with a haunting tale beneath – a world of self-harm, heroine, overdoses and childhood abuse.
I wanted to pau...
2019-08-0438 min
The Unscrewed PodcastThe Unscrewed Podcast S01E06 - Paula In this episode, we talk about guilt, shame, empathy and ADFAM support groups.
2018-06-0351 min